Freezing Cooked Brown Rice for Quick Weeknight Meals

Trader Joe’s has a handy product: frozen packets of brown rice that you reheat quickly in the microwave. But you can save pennies on the dollar by making and freezing your own, Chowhounds say. Cook up a pot of rice, then spread it out on a baking sheet to cool quickly. Put it in a large zip-top freezer bag and press it flat on your countertop so the package is around 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick, making sure to expel any excess air. When you want to reheat some, take the bag from the freezer, whack it on the counter to loosen up some rice, and remove the quantity you need (don’t worry if some of it is in clumps). Place the rice in a bowl and zap it for a minute or two in the microwave, depending on the amount. Or, you can package individual servings in smaller bags or wrapped in plastic wrap and flattened, then stored in a freezer bag.